The Unforgettable Moments Wieland Gave Me the unforgettable moments Wieland gave me
eclipse
He organised the now infamous mini bus trip from Saigon to the South China Sea to make a party and view the 1994 total solar eclipse.
Through a friend of a friend, we had met just the day before the eclipse, and he found a small space 4 four extra “new friends”.
raid
He rescued all of us from the Vietnamese police following a callout to a noise disturbance as locals literally stoned the building we were in, his house.
As the trance belted out we got raided and even tho pretending to be in bed asleep, 13 police stormed in and rounded me and all the other friends up. Pretty hairy, yet somehow, something Wieland said (or paid) allowed him to get me out of there and take me home on his bike. All the others were allowed to leave too.
He was the only person to write to me that Christmas, out of all my friends and family, Wieland’s letter was waiting 4 me at Haadrin post office ahead of my arrival that December.
Interestingly the only Xmas pressie I received that same year was from an Israeli jew... I became suddenly aware of a greater sense of family at large in our lives. It was just the beginning...
In the shadow of fuji
He insisted I meet his sister Ricarda, although she was living in Japan, and I was headed for Australia. little cld i imagine, the profound influence of meeting her and her enduring friendship would have on my life. The untold blessings which I know all of you, like me, know so SO well.
Having been in touch occasionally with Wieland, a year later I found myself in Japan.
Desperately wanting to go to a trance party at Mt Fuji, I found a willing Japanese fellow 2 take me there. That day as I was getting ready (clothes, accessories, raincoat and extra socks ) Wieland’s face flashed into my mind as I decided to put on a purple silk vest I’d had made in Vietnam. I warmed at the thought of his party ethic and all the fun I’d never had until I had partied as one family.
So was it any surprise, really, except in a physical 3-D sense,that as the sun rose at the party the next morning –my first dawn in the shadow of Fuji- when a leggy, exuberant figure passed me by, that we turned and looked at each other without a blink, greeting each other with “Good morning Wieland!” “Morning, Anne-Marie!”
The most surprising thing here was that neither of us seemed surprised!
That moment changed my life. Undoubtedly, but for that, I would not still be in Japan now.
Always outdoors
I see Wieland moving in easy strides through nature, or on the grass somewhere with legs stretched endlessly in front of him, reclining in the sun, ankles crossed, his feet are bare, a beer to one side and his boyish grin.
In Tokyo, Yoyogi park parties were not to be missed. How COULD you get lost in that park for a whole Sunday, nobody can reliably tell you! (although Andrew Brother has an explanation for some….)
Where DID we go? Following the drumming through the trees, you’d always come upon a new band of people, welcoming you to join them.
I remember Wieland coming back to Tokyo the following year and during one such Yoyogi visit, how he swept me up in a huge embrace and spun me around. This didn’t stop quickly, somehow he managed to let go of me, while holding onto my arms, continuing to twirl us both around - I thought I was ready to be launched into orbit above the trees. Or crash to the ground had he lost his grip.
It was an awesome “helicopter” ride. I was completely in his hands. And I knew I was safe.
People could only trust Wieland. We relied on his organization, his efforts for people, his treatment of all as friends, his creativity, his enthusiasm, his inspiration. His big, big heart.
Hungary 1999
Hearing there would be a summer eclipse trance party in Hungary in 99, Wieland put out a call and the family dotted across the planet responded.
We came from Israel, France, Germany and Japan; we traveled across many countries with meet up points in Amsterdam, Koln and Brussels.
The heartbeat of the journey could be felt pulsating as the days to the eclipse and the miles traversed, counted down.
We all came together and lived for one week in a decorated hideaway complete with full sound system in the trees.
It was an amazing event, incredible music and beings from countries of which I have only dreamed.
I was with Wieland pre-eclipse in Koln. His practical skill and speed and super efficiency in finishing a job even now, goes unmatched. I think when we all try and get a project together, all of us think of Wieland, and we miss him because there is no match.
All we can do is follow in his footsteps, knowing it’s an honour to have shared those times together and that he is still walking with us and blessing our every happy step.
Its our mission, folks, to continue that...
For Wieland and all who love him,
Anne-Marie 2006-11-18
